Cincinnati Reds - PlayerWatch

January 25, 2013|Reuters

2B Brandon Phillips prepared to be the leadoff man last offseason. That isn't the case this winter, as the Reds acquired OF Shin-Soo Choo with the expectation of making Choo their leadoff man. "I really don't know where I'm going to hit," Phillips said. "I'm just going to try to be productive."

RHP Armando Galarraga signed a minor league deal with the Reds. Galarraga made national news on June 2, 2010, when first base umpire Jim Joyce blew a call that would have given the Venezuelan a perfect game. In the time since, Galarraga has bounced between the majors and the minors. He spent part of 2012 with the Astros, posting a 6.75 ERA in 24 innings. He also made 10 starts in the Houston farm system, going 3-2 with a 3.97 ERA.

RHP Homer Bailey and the Reds discussed a long-term deal, but Bailey filed for arbitration. "We talked," Cincinnati GM Walt Jocketty said, "but we didn't get very far." Bailey is seeking a $5.8 million salary for 2013, while the club offered him $4.75 million.

RF Jay Bruce is open to playing center field if Shin-Soo Choo struggles there. "It's about giving Dusty (Baker) more options. We all expect Shin to be the center fielder, but I've played there," Bruce said.